Consumer Reports: No more spray sunscreen for kids

Health experts say that using spray sunscreens on children poses a possible inhalation risk.

There's one big drawback to using spray sunscreens on kids. (Photo: Dubova/Shutterstock)

I just broke the bad news to my daughter: No more spray-on sunscreen. And let me just tell you, she is Not. Happy.

We use a lot of sunscreen in our house. My kids are pasty white and my husband has already faced one battle with pre-cancerous skin cells. So when we aren't in the shade, sunscreen is the rule of thumb, especially in the summer.

I have always tried to go the green and natural route when choosing sunscreen, but over the years I have given in on the spray. They say that parents should choose their battles and I decided that as long as they were using the sunscreen, I would make sure that it came in its easiest-to-use form. I still keep the green and natural stuff around — Block Island Organics is my favorite — for days when we are less rushed. But those days are fewer and further between.

And I know that I'm not alone here. Some polls have found that as many as 7 out of 10 parents use spray-on sunscreen on the children.

But a new family rule has been put into place in our house regarding sunscreen and that means no more sprays from here on out. This new rule stems from the latest research from Consumer Reports warning parents against using this type of sunscreen on children. Consumer Reports issued the warning after researchers raised the flag that spray-on sunscreens could put children at risk for asthma or allergy attacks.

The Food and Drug Administration has been studying the issue since 2011, but the agency has yet to draw a conclusion.

Sure, my kids hold their breath when we put it on, but I know those little particles are still in the air long after they have exhaled and taken the next inhale.

So what can you do if that is the only kind of sunscreen you have, or if your kids simply won't wear sunscreen in any other form? Consumer Reports suggest that parents spray the sunscreen into their own hands — away from their kids — and then apply directly the old-fashioned way, still being careful to avoid the eyes and mouth.

But mum's the word about that, okay? I'm not giving my kids that option because I know if we have the spray sunscreen in the bag, it will be all too easy to revert to old habits.

What do you think about this new Consumer Reports advice? Will it change the way you use sunscreen?